Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions
AP Physics 1 Syllabus
Course: AP Physics 1
Semester: Fall 2014
School Year: 2014-2015
Teacher: E. Durban
e-mail: edurban@houstonisd.org (During school hours)
Class Blog Address:
Course Outline
Cycle I: August 25nd – October 2nd
Unit I: The Science of Physics (Chapter 1- 1 week)
 What is physics?
 SI units
 Dimensional Analysis, Significant Figures
Unit II: Motion in One Dimension (Chapter 2 – 4 weeks)
 Scalars & Vectors
 Displacement & Velocity
 Acceleration
 Falling Objects
Cycle II: October 3rd - November 4th
Unit III: Motion in two dimensions
 Vector Operations
 Projectile Motion
(Chapter 3- 2 weeks)
Unit IV: Forces (Chapter 4- 4 weeks)
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Newton’s first law and inertia
Newton’s second and third laws
Net forces and Free Body Diagrams
Friction & Inclined Planes
Cycle III: November 7th - December 16th
Unit V: Work and Energy (Chapter 5- 3 weeks)
 Kinetic & Potential Energy
 Work-energy Theorem
 Power
 Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Unit VI: Momentum (Chapter 6- 2 weeks)
 Impulse-momentum theorem
 Conservation of momentum in elastic and inelastic collisions
Textbook & Resources
You will need to bring all of the following materials to class EVERYDAY. From time to time I
will check to make sure you have these resources. No prior warning will be given and a grade may
be given.
1. Textbook: Cutnell and Johnson
2. Scientific Calculator (Does not have to be a graphing calculator.)
3. Pencils and Pens (Blue or Black Ink Only)
4. Paper that does not have torn edges from a spiral notebook.
Websites:
Khan Academy
Physics Classroom
Openstaxcollege.com
Class Rules
1.
2.
3.
4.
Be Prompt
Be Prepared
Be Productive
Be Polite
Grading Policy
Tests = 60% of grade (generally given every 2-3 weeks or at the end of a unit)
Labs and quizzes= 30 % of grade
Homework/Class Work = 10% of grade
Homework is always due at the beginning of class. If you fail to turn it in at that time you will
have until the next class to turn it in, however, you will receive a grade no higher than 70%.
Tests are always announced at least 2 class periods before they are given. Quizzes may be
unannounced. Material from the book, lab activities and homework may be included on tests and
quizzes.
Special Project:
1. Bridge
2. Motor boat
Absences
When you are absent, it is your responsibility to complete the missed work and get the notes
from class. I will assign a zero for all work that you fail to turn in.
Assignment Format
Note: You may lose points on assignments that do not have the proper heading.
Label all assignments as follows:
Student’s First and Last Name
Date
Period